USA Hockey Magazine

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Cyr family Like many young hockey players, Bentley Cyr dreams of making it to the NHL. And when he steps into the spotlight he knows exactly what jersey he wants to wear. It will be the stripes of an NHL official. At just 9 years old, Bentley is one o f t h e y o u n g e s t r e g i s t e r e d U S A Hockey referees. He learned to skate when he was 5, began officiating roller and ice hock- ey games when he was 7 and became USA Hockey certified this July. "I was playing Mites and I saw a little referee, which inspired me. And I've been officiating ever since," the San Diego native said. Bentley worked his first game, a 6 & Under matchup in Carlsbad, Calif., in October 2020. Not long after another referee suggested that he take the USA Hockey Open Book Exam for officials. "So, I did," Bentley said matter of factly. "I was really excited when I found out I passed." The hockey community has thrown its full support behind the young whistle blower. More specifically, individuals at local organizations have given him the opportunity to work as many games as his little legs can stand. According to his father, Sylvain, with- out the support of his peers h i s p a s s i o n m i g h t h ave f a d e d b e f o r e h e c o u l d get his certification. And just as one young ref inspired him, Bentley is inspiring other youth hockey players to try their hand at offi- ciating, which he said is a great feeling. 3 U S A H O C K E Y N E W S , P E O P L E & P R O G R A M S O F F THE D R AW By Caleigh Burchfield OFFICIALS Young California Official Is Earning His Stripes One Game At A Time He's Got GAME "Many players will come to him and say that they want to be a ref now that they've seen him," Sylvain said. "Everybody's complimenting him on his professionalism on the ice and he's pretty serious when he's doing his work. He's having fun and that's all my wife and I want for him." Bentley hopes to one day build a training facility and run camps for y o u n g o f f i c i a l s. I n t h e m e a n t i m e h e h a s a d v i c e f o r o t h e r a s p i r i n g young officials. "Play hockey," he said. "And work on your skating [especially back- ward], read the USA Hockey Rules and Casebook, observe refs during games and on TV … then talk to your local rink hockey direc- tor for opportunities to ref house games and do it as often as possible." For now, Bentley is following his own a d v i c e , n o t o n l y playing in his own g a m e s e a c h w e e k- end, but also offici- a t i n g g a m e s e v e r y Saturday and Sunday as well. It keeps him busy, Sylvain said, which B e n t l e y l i k e s . S p e n d i n g so much time at the rink also comes with some perks. "Sometimes all three games will be at the same rink, so we get there early in the morning and spend most of the day there," Sylvain said. "And then we eat pizza," Bentley added. P Caleigh Burchfield is the 2022-24 Brian Fishman Fellow. Years old Bentley Cyr began officiating hockey games 7 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 7

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